A lot has changed since the year 1911. Ike Newcomer of Lakeland would know – he’s been around to see it all for himself.
At 108 years young, Newcomer says he’s still doing great. The great-great-grandfather may not see or hear as well as he used to, but that didn’t stop him from living it up Wednesday for his birthday party at Lake Morton Plaza Assisted Living. The festivities included cake, live music and the people who love him most.
“It’s a great party,” Newcomer said. “All my friends are here.”
Ike’s son Richard came down from Pennsylvania for the party. He calls his father’s 108 years “well lived.”
“He just enjoyed life,” he said. “Put everything in an Airstream and took off, traveled for a couple years. That’s what he wanted to do.”
Ike says he really doesn’t know how he’s managed to live such a long life. Richard is convinced it’s because his father lived a happy life.
“I’ve had a wonderful life, and there’s nothing missing,” Ike said. “I don’t think I missed anything.”
Ike has become something like a celebrity at Lake Morton Plaza. Lakeland PD officers have also been known to stop by and challenge him to a game of Nintendo’s Wii Bowling.